Flexible bathtub waste pipe assembly for bathtubs and the like

ABSTRACT

A bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain and a lower drain. The bathtub waste pipe assembly includes a flexible hollow tube extending from the upper overflow drain to the lower drain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In plumbing of bathtubs, existing rigid waste pipe assemblies are used to receive the effluent fluid from the bathtub. These rigid pipes are often difficult to install in the tight spaces about a bathtub. Further, these rigid pipes need to either be properly sized in length, or cut down to a proper length to be installed with the bathtub. Additionally, these rigid assemblies include a multiplicity of pieces, adding to the cost of the assembly, as well as the complexity of installation.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bathtub waste pipe assembly including a flexible hollow tube, wherein the installation of the bathtub waste pipe assembly is simplified.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bathtub waste pipe assembly wherein the length of assembly need not be specifically sized prior to installation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bathtub waste pipe assembly wherein the assembly is easily installed in confined spaces.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain and a lower drain. The bathtub waste pipe assembly includes a flexible hollow tube extending from the upper overflow drain to the lower drain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional prior bathtub environment with a rigid waste pipe assembly;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the device of this invention associated with a bathtub;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the device of this invention associated with a bathtub; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the device of this invention associated with a bathtub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional bathtub 10 has an upper overflow drain 12 and a lower drain 14. The upper overflow drain 12 is located at one end 16 of the bathtub 10 for draining overflow fluids from the bathtub 10. The lower drain 14 is located in the bottom of the bathtub 10 for draining fluids from the bottom of the bathtub 10.

A conventional prior art rigid waste pipe assembly 20 has an upper rigid pipe 22 oriented in a vertical direction. The pipe 22 is connected to the bathtub upper overflow drain 12 via an upper rigid connector 24. The pipe assembly 20 also has a lower rigid pipe 26 oriented in a horizontal direction. The pipe 26 is connected to the lower drain 14 via a lower rigid connector 28. The pipe 22 and the pipe 26 are joined at a rigid three-way connector 30. The connector 30 receives fluid from both the upper overflow drain 12 and lower drain 14, and directs the fluid to a bottom outlet 32.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a bathtub waste pipe assembly 40 of the present invention for draining fluid from a bathtub is shown. The assembly 40 includes a flexible hollow tube 42. The tube 42 is located outside one end 16 of the bathtub 10, and has a first opening 44, a second opening 46 and a conduit 48 running from the first opening 44 to the second opening 46. The first opening 44 is adapted to be associated in fluid flow communication with the upper overflow drain 14. The tube 42 preferably has a non-corrugated inner surface 50. The flexible tube 42 is hollow and is devoid of a valve operating mechanism extending into or out of ends 44 and 46 of tube 42.

The assembly 40 also includes a lower tube connector 52. The second opening 46 of tube 42 is connected to the lower drain 14 of bathtub 10 by means of the lower tube connector 52. Specifically, opening 46 of tube 42 fits within the opening 58 of the lower tube connector 52. The connector 52 has a first opening 54, a second opening 56, and a third opening 58. The first opening 54 is adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with the drain 14. The second opening 56 receives fluid from both the upper overflow drain 12 and lower drain 14, and directs the fluid to the bottom outlet 32. The first and second openings 54 and 56 are located directly opposite one another. The second opening 56 is located directly beneath the lower drain 14 when the first opening 54 is connected in fluid flow communication with the lower drain 14. The third opening 58 is connected in fluid flow communication with the second opening 46 of the tube 42. The third opening 58 is located perpendicular to the first and second openings 54 and 56.

The assembly 40 further includes an upper tube connector 60 adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with the upper overflow drain 12. The connector 60 has a first opening 62 and second opening 64. The first opening 62 extends through end 16 of the bathtub 10 and is adapted to be connected in fluid flow communication with the upper drain 12. The second opening 64 is connected in fluid flow communication with the first opening 44 of the tube 42. Specifically, opening 44 of tube 42 fits within opening 64 of the upper connector 60.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, assembly 40 is shown with an alternative first connector 60. Connector 60 has an end 68 that fits through the overflow port 12 such that the exterior flange is positioned against the end wall 16 of the bathtub 10, as shown in FIG. 4. Additionally, connector 60 is adapted for use with a thin diaphragm 66, which seals overflow drain 12 such that the assembly 40 can be tested for leaks after installation. Specifically, diaphragm 66 is sealed or mounted to end 68 of the connector 60, which defines the opening 62. Diaphragm 66 preferably is a thin sheet of plastic or the like with a generally circular shape. Diaphragm 66 is mounted to end 68 preferably with adhesive. After the assembly 40 has been tested for leaks, diaphragm 66 can be cut out with a knife or the like, allowing opening 62 to be in fluid communication with the bathtub 10.

In operation, the assembly 40 can receive fluid from upper overflow drain 12 (in an overflow situation) or lower drain 14 (in normal operating conditions). In an overflow situation, the fluid from the upper overflow drain 12 is received into the flexible hollow tube 42. These fluids then flow along flexible hollow tube 42 to the lower tube connector 52 where they are emptied into the bottom outlet 32. Under normal operating conditions, the fluid from the lower drain 14 is received into the lower tube connector 52 where it is emptied into the bottom outlet or drain 32.

The assembly 40 shown in FIG. 2 is installed by first securing the upper connector 60 to the overflow port 12. End 44 of tube 42 preferably fits within flange 64 of connector 60. Tube 42 is then bent to adjust the length of the tube 42 so as to fit between the connectors 60 and 52. End 46 of tube 42 preferably fits within flange 58 of connector 52.

With the assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, connector 60 is secured to bathtub 10 such that end 68 extends through the overflow port 12 in the end wall 16 of the bathtub 10. End 44 of tube 42 is connected to connector 60. Preferably, end 44 fits within flange 64 of connector 60. Tube 42 is then bent to adjust the length of the tube 42 so as to fit between the connectors 60 and 52. End 46 of tube 42 is then connected to connector 52, which is secured to and in fluid communication with the lower drain 14. Preferably, end 46 fits within flange 58 of connector 52.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the assembly 40 uses two flexible hollow tubes. Specifically, the assembly 40 uses first connector 60 secured to the overflow drain 12 and second connector 70 having an outlet opening 72 and secured to the lower drain 14. The embodiment of FIG. 5 further includes a third tee-shaped connector 74 having inlet openings 76 and 78 and an outlet opening 80, which is connected to bottom outlet or primary drain pipe 32. Flexible hollow tubes 82 and 84 secure to connectors 60, 70, and 74. Specifically, end 86 of first flexible tube 82 fits within opening 64 of first connector 60 and end 88 of tube 82 fits within opening 76 of connector 74. Similarly, end 90 of second flexible tube 84 fits within opening 72 of second connector 70 and end 92 of tube 84 fits within opening 78 of connector 74. In this manner, fluid from both the overflow drain 12 and lower drain 14 flow through flexible hollow tubes 82 and 84, which direct the fluid flow to the bottom outlet 32 via tee-shaped connector 74.

Thus, the installation of the bathtub waste pipe assembly 40 is simplified due to the flexibility of the assembly 40. The assembly 40 shown in FIGS. 2-4 can be bent to shorten or extend its length during installation. This eliminates the need to adjust the assembly 40 through choosing the specific length of assembly 40, or the need to cut the assembly 40 to a proper size.

In addition, this flexibility allows the assembly 40 to be more easily installed in confined spaces. This is especially the case with the assembly 40 shown in FIG. 5, which uses two flexible hollow tubes 82 and 84. In this arrangement, tubes 82 and 84 can be individually shortened or extended depending upon the specific installation and location of the overflow drain, lower drain, and drain pipe.

It is therefore seen that this invention accomplishes at least all of the stated objectives. 

1. A bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain at one end of the bathtub and a lower drain on the bottom of the bathtub, comprising: a first connector secured to and in communication with the upper overflow drain; a second connector secured to and in communication with the lower drain; and a flexible hollow tube that is connected to and extends between the first connector and the second connector wherein the tube is devoid of a valve operating mechanism extending through the hollow tube.
 2. The bathtub waste pipe assembly of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube has a non-corrugated inner surface.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the second connector when connected to the second connector.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the hollow tube has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the first connector when connected to the first connector.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a vertical portion of the hollow tube has a vertical axis that extends outside of the vertical axis of the first connector.
 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein a horizontal portion of the hollow tube has a horizontal axis that extends beyond a horizontal axis of the second connector.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a third connector and a second hollow tube, wherein the first hollow tube is in fluid communication with the first and third connectors and the second hollow tube is in fluid communication with the second and third connectors.
 8. A bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain at one end of the bathtub and a lower drain on the bottom of the bathtub, comprising: a first connector having an end extending through the bathtub and in communication with the upper overflow drain; a second connector secured to and in communication with the lower drain; and a flexible hollow tube that is connected to and extends between the first connector and the second connector.
 9. The bathtub waste pipe assembly of claim 8 further comprising a diaphragm sealed to the end of the first connector.
 10. The bathtub waste pipe assembly of claim 8, wherein the hollow tube has a non-corrugated inner surface.
 11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the hollow tube has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the second connector when connected to the second connector.
 12. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the hollow tube has an outer diameter less than an outer diameter of the first connector when connected to the first connector.
 13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein a vertical portion of the hollow tube has a vertical axis that extends outside of the vertical axis of the first connector.
 14. The assembly of claim 8 wherein a horizontal portion of the hollow tube has a horizontal axis that extends beyond a horizontal axis of the second connector.
 15. The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a third connector and a second hollow tube, wherein the first hollow tube is in fluid communication with the first and third connectors and the second hollow tube is in fluid communication with the second and third connectors.
 16. A method of installing a bathtub waste pipe assembly for draining fluid from a bathtub where the bathtub has an upper overflow drain having a flange at one end of the bathtub and a lower drain on the bottom of the bathtub, comprising: providing a first connector secured to and in communication with the upper overflow drain; providing a second connector secured to and in communication with the lower drain; connecting a flexible hollow tube that is devoid of a valve operating mechanism extending through the hollow tube; and connecting the hollow tube to the second connector.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of providing a third connector and a second hollow tube and connecting the hollow tube to the first and third connectors and connecting the second hollow tube to the second and third connectors.
 18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of providing a first connector having an end extending through the bathtub.
 19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of bending the hollow tube to adjust the length of the tube so as to fit between the first connector and the second connector. 